The Sheik Retold
by Victoria Vane and E. M.
Hull
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
A savage son of the Sahara who knows no law but his own…
When pride and passion vie for supremacy…
Blistering desert days are nothing compared to the sizzling Sahara
nights…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt #4
Restless,
I moved about the tent, listlessly examining objects that I already knew by heart,
and flirting over the pages of some French magazines. I should have been elated
at his unexpected absence, yet in my perversity, I was strangely unstrung with
anticipation of his return. Now the utter silence only oppressed me.
Where
was Gaston? Even the servant's company would be preferable to my own. I guessed
he must have gone with his master or perhaps he was long retired. I went to the
flap of the tent and gazed out into the night. The camp, large and spread out
was covered mostly in a blanket of blackness, broken by the occasional glimmer
of a sparking fire.
I
had dreamt for years of this experience, of a month spent in the desert and now
here I was. I had longed for adventure. It is what I had sought, so why could I
not turn this tragedy to my advantage? I had food and shelter that was far
superior to any I could have provided for myself. And I was surrounded by
hundreds of armed men. Whether I viewed them as my captors or my protectors was
only a matter of perception—a matter of choice.
I
knew I was safe. I had seen the depths of deference, the authority of the
Sheik's command. Any man outside of himself who dared to touch me would suffer
death. Of that I had no doubt. The only thing stopping me from enjoying my
adventure in this vast oasis and my freedom in the Sheik's camp, was my own
desperate desire to cling to a state of chastity I truly cared nothing about.
It was only my pride that stood in the way of my pleasure, and my refusal to
allow him to take it from me.
I
chewed my lip as I gazed up upon the stars glimmering in the heaven like
countless brilliant diamonds shimmering against a backdrop of black velvet. I
wondered if in the great scheme of things, my pride was a bit over-rated.
This
entire evening I had bucked with resentment against the pretense that I was a
willing guest here, but had I met this same Sheik in Biskrah, in more
conventional circumstances, if I had only been properly introduced, would I not
have willing, even gratefully accepted an invitation to his camp? Only a week
ago I would have jumped at the chance. What now prevented me from embracing
that role? From enjoying that status— for as long as I had planned? I smiled to
myself. Yes, it was all just a matter of perception—except for the bartering of
my body— the Sheik's expectation in return for his hospitality.
My
smiled dimmed.
I
could enjoy my month of holiday as planned, as long as I would willing serve
his needs—and all that implied— in his bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Victoria
Vane is a multiple award-winning romance novelist, cowboy addict, and history
junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to
emotionally compelling erotic romance. Victoria also writes historical fiction
as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers
and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog. Look for Victoria's sexy
new contemporary cowboy series coming from Sourcebooks summer 2014.
CONTACT:
Email:
victoria.vane@hotmail.com
Web:
http://www.victoriavane.com
Blog:
http://victoriavane.wordpress.com
Twitter:
@authorvictoriav
Facebook:
Author Victoria Vane
Victoria will be awarding the winner's choice of one copy of "A Wild Night's Bride" or "A Breach of Promise" to randomly drawn commenters at each stop. Make sure you leave a comment with your email address and follow the tour.
Thanks so much for hosting my virtual tour for THE SHEIK RETOLD. Warmest regards,
ReplyDeleteVictoria Vane